Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms and Leeks
Posted: 09/06/2013
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This orecchiette pasta dish will have your whole family smiling, with the flavors of mushrooms, leeks and chicken sausage. Complete in 30 minutes!
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of quick, easy meals that the whole family will love. That’s kinda what Rachel Cooks is all about.
This isn’t my first go-around with taking chicken sausage and teaming it up with pasta to make a quick meal. It’s just a no-brainer. Chicken sausage in the fridge, pasta in the pantry. All you need are some veggies, a little bit of sauce action and dinner is ready. It couldn’t be easier, or more fun. I love creating a meal from pasta and whatever happens to be in the fridge.
You’ll love this combination of orecchiette, mushrooms, leeks and white wine. Very subtle, light flavors but together with the chicken sausage and some whole wheat pasta, these ingredients make for a filling and nutritious meal. And did I mention easy?
Have you tried using reserved cooking water from the pasta to make a sauce? This starchy water, mixed with a little white wine and Parmesan, makes a delicious sauce for this orecchiette pasta dish.
Did you know?
Orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian. Be sure to try this fun ear-shaped pasta. It perfectly cradles the sauce. Pronounce it “ora-ketty”.
Enjoy!
Leftover Love
Mix leftover pasta with chicken broth and heat. You’ll have a delicious and easy soup.
Craving more pasta?
Try a recipe from my collection of 15 one pot pasta recipes. Or try one of the recipes listed below:
- Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Spinach
- Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup with Noodles
- Pasta with Shrimp, Brussels Sprouts, & Wine Sauce
- Gnocchi with Kale & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Chicken and Kale Casserole with Whole Wheat Pasta
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake
- Homemade Hamburger Helper (with macaroni)
- Orecchiette with Chanterelles, Brocollini, Frisee and Pancetta from Lemons & Anchovies
- Orecchiette with Morel Mushrooms and Ramps from Leite’s Culinaria
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
This orecchiette pasta dish will have your whole family smiling with the flavors of mushrooms, leeks and chicken sausage.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 leeks, cut into thin slices (half moons) and cleaned
- two 12 ounces packages of thick cut sliced mushrooms
- one 12 ounce package of chicken sausage
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound whole wheat Orecchiette pasta
- reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in a very large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leeks and saute until starting to become translucent, or about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and sausage and continue to saute until mushrooms are nearly cooked through, or about 8 minutes. Add wine, and reduce for about 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to a boil and cook pasta as directed on the package. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water before draining.
- After the wine has reduced, turn heat to low and add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add chicken sausage mixture to cooked and drained pasta, adding some of the cooking water as necessary for a light sauce to come together. Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1of 4, Calories: 919kcal, Carbohydrates: 114g, Protein: 53g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 1107mg, Fiber: 19g, Sugar: 6g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
carrie@bakeaholicmama says
I am craving chicken and mushrooms so bad, this pasta looks perfect for dinner tonight!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
This is totally my kind of go-to weeknight dinner that the whole family will inhale! I have some leeks in the garden, so I’ll have to make this one for sure. I can never find whole-wheat orecchietti though. What brand did you use?
Rachel Gurk says
Delallo! Organic, and their whole wheat pasta comes in a 1 pound package. Love it! http://www.delallo.com/products/organic-whole-wheat-orecchiette-0
Julie @ A Warrior and A Nurse says
After reading another comment here, I’m a bit relieved….I thought I would be the only one who has never heard of this pasta. This looks like such a quick and easy meal (not to mention, tasty and healthy). I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for the great blog post with the great pictures!
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
I need to get some chicken sausage and keep it on hand. An easy meal like this is definitely what I need!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
For the past couple months chicken sausage has been my go-to, last minute quick dinner. Love the idea of combining it with pasta and veggies!
cassie says
This is my kind of meal!! We love chicken sausage and orecchiette is one of my favorite pastas! Hope you all are feeling better!
Kim | Just For Clicks says
Ok, I have never heard of that pasta and now I’m going to be on a hunt to find it! :-) Looks delish! I LOVE chicken and pasta (and currently have a fridge full of chicken sausages from Costco)…. Pinning to make next week! PS ~ Love the blue bowls!